Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

From walking along narrow hillside trails through barley terraces and wild flowers, to eating sumptuous picnic feasts next to trickling streams or high rocky peaks, or stargazing under the clear dome of the milky way, dancing by bonfire light to traditional music, or being welcomed into village schools and local lady Fatima's house for tea...I think the whole trip was pretty inspirational really!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Hamid was brilliant-very thoughtul and a real character!Full of energy and local knowledge, with a very funny sense of humour, and lots of patience, we were always well looked after throughout the trip and trusted him completely. I think its safe to say that our trip wouldn't have been the same without him!

Advice for Potential Travellers

make sure you have a really good sleeping bag as it does get very chilly at night! Take the opportunity for a hammam, totally amazing! Other than that, put your heart into it and embrace all the wonderful people and experiences the trip has to offer, its worth it!

Most Inspirational Moment

I'm not sure that inspirational is the correct description, but Jerash and Petra were the highlights of the trip as we expected them to be and our dip in the Dead Sea a photographic must. Kerak Castle a magnificent structure had us comparing with our local Carrickfergus Castle,built in the same era 1180,and how Moses must have felt standing on Mt Nebo looking across to "the Promised Land".............................. the downside, as is the case in many poorer countries,is the total lack of order,the rubbish dumped everywhere,unfinished buildings,enough! enough!.............and Aqaba would have been better left out of the schedule and an extra day in Amaan before returning home included.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good

Advice for Potential Travellers

No the Web Site covers most of it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most of the group went to Venice on the free day, who wouldn't be inspired by that!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bob was great, an older Exodus hand, who was coaching Serena who was to take over the reins. So we were blessed with two guides. The interaction between leader and group was just about right and Bob was able to arrange all sorts of activities for one of the group who was carrying an injury which curtailed his walking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't just drink Prosecco, the local red is excellent. The hotel food is okay and the wine is complimentary and non stop, the bottles keep on coming.

Most Inspirational Moment

I was expecting the night in the desert to be my least favourite part of the trip (desert scenery isn't my thing and I thought the food and facilities would be low standard) but I think it ended up being my favourite and most inspirational day. Sitting around the campfire looking up at the stars (eating really delicious food) and then sleeping in a Bedouin tent was great fun. And the facilities were absolutely fine - I had a lovely hot shower in the morning.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Wael was incredibly proud and passionate about his country, and extremely well informed. He was skilled at making sure everyone on the trip had a good time and was always available to answer any question - even when we asked him some quite challenging ones on religion and human nature!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a good range of clothing to cover all temperatures and don't forget it rains there. Amman is quite high altitude wise so was far cooler than I expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Standing under the 80m high Fairy Falls on the bow of the Milford Wanderer, water pummelling down on our heads, totally surprised, completely exhilarated and utterly happy. I have to add first seeing Red Crater on the Tongariro Crossing, jetboating, catamaran sailing on the Tasman Sea, walking through Tiritiri Matangi Island’s gorgeous native woodland ringing with exotic bird calls and cicadas, the joy of seeing the glorious colour of Huka Falls. The trouble is that every day had moments like these, so how do you choose!?

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hayley and Josh are an extraordinary young couple, calm, cheerful, incredibly hard working and competent. If everyone drove like Josh, the roads would be safer places. Every suggestion regarding where to eat or shop or what to do in our free time turned out to be good. In his review, Martin mentioned the lady stranger who had a fall, but not that Hayley actually carried her most of the way down a steep mountain after giving first aid! There were, inevitably, some long drives, but Hayley and Josh arranged an enjoyable short walk or other activity at least every two hours. I think I’d trust these two in almost any situation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don’t scratch your Blackfly bites! They really are the scourge of South Island, but DEET does deter them so use it. I kept leaving it too late. Bites I managed to resist scratching settled down quickly, those I took the tops off had scabs for weeks and have left scars. Be prepared for the jet lag - it took us a week to get over it after coming home. Take lots of notes as well as taking photos -see below!

Most Inspirational Moment

Petra

Thoughts on Group Leader

not very good.

Most Inspirational Moment

In Syracuse, walking down a little alley, an operatic aria was playing on a sound system somewhere, and all the street traders suddenly started singing along, joining in one by one, with beautiful voices. It was magical! Everywhere we went there were beautiful wildflowers like I've never seen before. Definitely recommend going in April for that reason, as well as the fact that the tourist draws and beaches are very quiet.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leaders were excellent, really worked hard to look after us and passionate about their homeland. The picnic lunches were outstanding.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you practice riding up hills! Overall level 3 is fair, but there are some really hilly sections, with sustained climbs. Also, in April, bring clothing for a range of weather.

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was very special. If we have to choose though, the first sight of the Treasury Building in Petra was amazing. In fact all of the ancient city of Petra was beyond our expectations.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Zuhair was a wonderful leader. He told us stories and about the history of Jordan which were so interesting and enjoyable. He organised lovely snack breaks and took us to very good restaurants. He was extremely supportive with me when my knees were causing problems. He took such pains to point things out to us when we were in Jerash and Petra and was very knowledgeable and answered everyone's questions. A thoroughly nice man. A word also about the Tourist Police Officer, Sami, who accompanied us. He was also very pleasant and helpful and the two of them could not have been better and really made the holiday special. Nothing was too much trouble for either of them.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Well first and foremost don't be put off going to Jordan. Everywhere we went we were welcomed and we always felt safe. Take comfortable walking shoes there is some hard walking in Petra, but totally worth it.

Most Inspirational Moment

The areas I enjoyed most were Halong Bay, Hoi An and the Mekong delta. The cities were fascinating but frenetic. Seeing the central towers at Angkor Wat was a definite "wow" moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Both group leaders ( Vietnam and Cambodia) were very knowledgeable and passionate about their countries.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take an overnight bag for the trips to Halong Bay and the Mekong delta. Expect to take hundreds of photos!

Most Inspirational Moment

Breathtakingly beautiful scenes as we stood in a fairytale landscape – with snow still falling – watching the snow monkeys playing in the hot pools.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Throughout, our local guide led us confidently from bullet train to funicular, from tram, to bus, to ferry. He took us to places only a local would know about, including, at our request, to a karaoke bar on our last night!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do heed the warnings in the Trip Notes about bringing cash instead of cards; and take warm clothes and sensible footwear to the mountains – we hit minus 4 one morning! The underground system in Tokyo is efficient and easy to navigate, with plenty of signs in English. You do need to be reasonably fit, however – there were lots of steps.